Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Caffeine as an ergogenic aid

  • Published:
Current Sports Medicine Reports

Abstract

Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance that is widely consumed in a variety of forms. It produces multiple physiologic effects throughout the body. It is thought that this is mediated mainly through action at centrally located adenosine receptors. Caffeine has been studied for its potential use as an ergogenic aid. Several studies have demonstrated an improvement in exercise performance in submaximal endurance activities. Its potential ergogenic effect in acute, high-intensity exercise is less clear. Because of its potential use as an ergogenic aid, it use in sports is regulated by most sanctioning bodies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References and Recommended Reading

  1. Mellion MB, Walsh WM, Madden C, et al.: Team Physician’s Handbook, edn 3. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2002:186–187.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Swift RM: Specific drugs. In Textbook of Primary Care Medicine, edn 3. Edited by NobleJ, GreeneHL,LevinsonW, et al. Philadelphia: Mosby; 2001:445–450.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Rogers NL, Dinges DF: Caffeine: implications for alertness in athletes. Clin Sports Med 2005, 24:e1-e13. This paper provides good background information about caffeine, its potential ergogenic effects for athletes, and potential risks and benefits.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Leski MJ, Terrell TR: Nutrition and ergogenic aids. In Textbook of Family Practice, edn 6. Edited by Rakel RE. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 2002:856.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Hartley TR, Sung BH, Pincomb GA, et al.: Hypertension risk status and effect of caffeine on blood pressure. Hypertension 2000, 36:137–141.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Hartley TR, Lovallo WR, Whitsett TL: Cardiovascular effects of caffeine in men and women. Am J Cardiology 2004, 93:1022–1026.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Chou T: Caffeine, coffee, and the medical consequences. West J Med 1992, 157:544–553.

    CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Cauli O, Morelli M: Caffeine and the dopaminergic system. Behav Pharmacol 2005, 16:63–77.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Applegate EA, Grivetti LE: Symposium: nutrition and physical performance: a century of progress and tribute to the modern Olympic movement. J Nutr 1997, 127:896S-873S.

    Google Scholar 

  10. James JE: Critical review of dietary caffeine and blood pressure: a relationship that should be taken more seriously. Psychosomat Med 2004, 66:63–71.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Ellender LE, Linder MM: Sports pharmacology and ergogenic aids. Prim Care 2005, 32:277–292.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Ahrendt DM: Ergogenic aids: counseling the athlete. Am Fam Physician 2001, 63:913–922.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Stuart GR, Hopkins WG, Cook C, Cairns SP: Multiple effects of caffeine on stimulated high-intensity team-sport performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2005, 37:1998–2005.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Davis JM, Zhao Z, Stock HS, et al.: Central nervous system effects of caffeine and adenosine on fatigue. J Appl Physiol 2003, 284:399–404. One of the initial studies outlining the effects that caffeine play in the central nervous system and its crucial role as an antagonist of adenosine receptors.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Bell DG, McLellan TM, Sabiston CM: Effect of ingesting caffeine and ephedrine on 10-km run performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2002, 34:344–349.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Bell DG, McLellan TM: Exercise endurance 1, 3, and 6 h after caffeine ingestion in caffeine users and nonusers. J Appl Physiol 2002, 93:1227–1234.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Ciocca M: Medication and supplement use by athletes. Clin Sports Med 2005, 24:719–738.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Cox GR, Desbrow B, Montgomery PG, et al.: Effect of different protocols of caffeine intake on metabolism and endurance performance. J Appl Physiol 2002, 93:990–999.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Bell DG, McLellan TM: Effect of repeated caffeine ingestion on repeated exhaustive exercise endurance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2003, 35:1348–1354.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Paton CD, Hopkins WG, Vollebregt L: Little effect of caffeine ingestion on repeated sprints in team-sport athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2001, 33:822–825.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Jackman M, Wendling P, Friars D, Graham TE: Metabolic, catecholamine, and endurance responses to caffeine during intense exercise. J Appl Physiol 1996, 81:1658–1663.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Graham TE, Hibbert E, Sathasivam P: Metabolic and exercise endurance effects of coffee and caffeine ingestion. J Appl Physiol 1998, 85:883–889.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. McDuff DR, Baron D: Substance use in athletics: a sports psychiatry perspective. Clin Sports Med 2005, 24:885–897.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Babu KM, McCormick MA, Bird SB: Pediatric dietary supplement use - an update. Clin Pediatr Emerg Med 2005, 6:85–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Jacobs I, Pasternak H, Bell DG: Effects of ephedrine, caffeine and their combination on muscular endurance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2003, 35:987–994.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Greenway FL, de Jonge L, Blanchard D, et al.: Effect of a dietary herbal supplement containing caffeine and ephedra on weight, metabolic rate, and body composition. Obes Res 2004, 12:1152–1157.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Jordan S, Murty M, Pilon K: Products containing bitter orange or synephrine: suspected cardiovascular adverse reactions. Can Med Assoc J 2004, 171:993–994.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Caffeine and athletic performance. In The Sports Medicine Patient Advisor, edn 1. Edited by Rouzier P, White T, Gilfilan T, Johnson J. Amherst, MA: SportsMed Press; 1999:283–284.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family and Sports Medicine, University of South Carolina, 3209 Colonial Drive, 29223, Columbia, SC, USA

    Brian D. Keisler MD

Authors
  1. Brian D. Keisler MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Thomas D. Armsey II MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brian D. Keisler MD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Keisler, B.D., Armsey, T.D. Caffeine as an ergogenic aid. Curr Sports Med Rep 5, 215–219 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11932-006-0050-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11932-006-0050-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation